Inflatable kayak

ABSTRACT

A selectively inflatable kayak that includes at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable flexible tube which when inflated defines a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stem sections. A flexible cover extends over the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube extending between and at least partially encasing it to provide an open passenger compartment and floor for the kayak. Cylindrical sheaths are sized to fit over and be received by the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube along the sections of the tube defining the sides of the passenger compartment. Extensions to the flexible cover are also provided at the bow and stem sections of the passenger compartment to drape over and separate the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube from the passenger compartment at those locations.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention deals with a selectively inflatable watercraft which can be stored in relatively compact volumes and which are pneumatically inflatable to provide a fully functional kayak for single or multi-passenger use. The present invention is intended to improve upon prior art designs by adding structural members to portions of the pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube to enable the tube to be inflated to higher pressures while restricting tube expansion in selective areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many reasons while kayak users find inflatable products desirable. Not only are such products capable of being reduced to a relatively small compact size for storage, but an inflatable watercraft is the only viable option when one requires the ability to carry, via backpack, watercraft to be used only selectively during combined land and water travail. Oftentimes, a backpacking experience involves hiking over an extending land mass coupled with a river or other water body boating experience. It is simply not practical to carry rigid non-collapsible watercraft, such as a kayak, over land to be used only when the trip involves aquatic activities.

Despite the obvious benefits inherent in inflatable kayaks, there certainly are some limitations that have prevented such watercraft from being universally embraced. Having no structural frame members, such inflatable kayaks are not as rigid as watercraft having structural frame members. Bending and flexure of inflatable kayaks provide undesirable characteristics which limit their universal acceptance despite the portability considerations recited above.

Oftentimes, inflatable kayak users attempt to increase the rigidity of such products by increasing inflation pressure to the maximum extent possible within the pneumatically inflatable peripheral tubes defining these kayaks. Such tubes are initially contained within an outer shell or skin and inflate against this shell or skin to create the shape of the kayak and to define its open passenger compartment.

As a user increases the pressure within the pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube, the outer shell or skin acts to limit expansion beyond that enabled by this membrane. However, there is no similar limiting structure within the open passenger compartment so that as pneumatic pressure is increased, the pneumatically inflatable tubes encroach upon the open passenger compartment until they become intrusive.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide various expedients to limit passenger compartment intrusion as the pressure within the kayak's pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube increases. In other words, it is the intent of the present invention to allow pneumatic tube expansion in areas where passenger compartment intrusion does not take place.

These and further objects will be readily apparent when considering the following disclosure and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A selectively inflatable kayak that includes at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable flexible tube which when inflated defines a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stem sections. A flexible cover extends over the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube extending between and at least partially encasing it to provide an open passenger compartment and floor for the kayak. Cylindrical sheaths are sized to fit over and be received by the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube along the sections of the tube defining the sides of the passenger compartment. Extensions to the flexible cover are also provided at the bow and stem sections of the passenger compartment to drape over and separate the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube from the passenger compartment at those locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a kayak embodying the improvements constituting the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the kayak of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 thereof.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the kayak of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 thereof.

FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of a kayak embodying yet a further aspect of the present invention representing a preferred embodiment thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning first to FIG. 1, selectively inflatable kayak 10 is shown as a top view thereof. As noted, outer shell 11 defines the shape of kayak 10 as supported by at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 creating bow and stern sections 13 and 14, respectively, and starboard side 15 and port side 16 defining open passenger compartment 17 which can support one or more seating structures as shown in phantom in FIG. 4. In other words, passenger compartment 17 and relatively narrow bow and stern sections 13 and 14 are created through the use of flexible cover 11 extending between and at least partially encasing elongated pneumatically inflatable tube 12.

Passenger compartment 17 is provided with sides defined above as starboard side 15 and port side 16 front portion 32 proximate bow 13 and rear portion 33 proximate stern section 14.

As noted previously, if elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 was to be inflated excessively in order to increase rigidity of kayak 10, shell 11 would limit expansion outwardly but elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 could otherwise expand internally and intrude within passenger compartment 17 negatively impacting passengers aboard kayak 10. The present invention is intended to enable a user to inflate elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 to its maximum capacity while limiting passenger compartment 17 intrusion.

The present invention is carried out by providing cylindrical sheaths 18 and 19 each sized to receive a section of elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 along the section of the tube defining the sides of passenger compartment 17. As noted in FIG. 1, cylindrical sheaths 18 and 19 assume a good portion of the starboard and port sections of passenger compartment 17 in areas where seats 45 and 46 (FIG. 4) are likely to reside. By providing cylindrical sheaths 18 and 19 as shown, no matter how pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 is inflated, it is unlikely to impact upon and thus reduce the volume of passenger compartment 17. [Give examples of materials constituting sheaths 18 and 19]

That portion of the invention described above is further illustrated in reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As noted, sheaths 18 and 19 extend over and encompass cylindrical portions of elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12. Flexible cover 11 extends over and encompasses both elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 and cylindrical sheaths 18 and 19 and extends under passenger compartment 17 creating floor 29 of kayak 10.

FIGS. 2 and 3 also assist in illustrating a second embodiment to the present invention.

As noted previously, excessive inflation of elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 can impact not only the volume of passenger compartment 17 at starboard and port sides 15 and 16, but also, to some degree, in areas 32 and 33 being the portions of passenger compartment 17 proximate bow and stern sections 13 and 14, respectively.

Specifically, intrusion of elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 proximate bow and stern sections 13 and 14 is limited by providing first and second extensions, 20 and 21. Flexible cover 11 is provided with first extension 20 proximate bow section 13 by permanently stitching or otherwise affixing it at its first-edge 23 to flexible cover 11. Similarly, second extension 21 can be affixed by sewing or other type of permanent joinder with flexible cover 11 along first edge 22. Each first and second extension is then removably joined to floor 29 by grommets 24 and 25 to enable first and second extensions 20 and 21 to selectively drape over elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 as needed.

In use, as elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 is inflated, expansion would be limited to the limits imposed upon it by flexible cover 11 and within passenger compartment 17 by cylindrical sheaths 18 and 19. At bow and stern sections 13 and 14, in areas 32 and 33 at the fore and aft sections of passenger compartment 17, first and second extensions 20 and 21 drape over elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 also preventing this tube from intruding within passenger compartment 17. Inward expansion of elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 is thus allowed in areas which have minimal or no impact upon occupants residing within passenger compartment 17 situated upon seating 45 and 46.

As a further preferred embodiment, reference is made to FIG. 4. Specifically, kayak 50 is shown having elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12 and cylindrical sheath 19 along its port side of passenger compartment 17. In order to add further rigidity to kayak 50, selectively inflatable rail tube 40 is shown residing atop cylindrical sheath 19, noting that a complimentary inflatable rail tube could also reside atop cylindrical sheath 18 in carrying out this preferred embodiment. It is contemplated that rail tube 40 would it be inflated to a pressure higher than that imposed upon elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube 12, at approximately ______lbs./per square inch. This would provide not only a ledge that a passenger could lean upon or use for support but also enhances the overall rigidity of kayak 50 in order to further accomplish the goals presented herein. 

1. In a selectively inflatable kayak comprising at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube which when inflated, defines a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stem sections and a flexible cover extending between and at least partially encasing said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube to provide an open passenger compartment and a floor for said kayak, said passenger compartment having sides, a front portion and a rear portion, the improvement comprising a pair of cylindrical sheaths each sized to receive a section of said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube along the sections of said tube defining the sides of said passenger compartment.
 2. The selectively inflatable kayak of claim 1 wherein said pair of cylindrical sheaths are positioned over elongated cylindrical portions of said elongated pneumatically inflatable tube to substantially resist expansion of said elongated cylindrical tube in the portions thereof encased by said cylindrical sheaths.
 3. The selectively inflatable kayak of claim 1 wherein a selectively inflatable rail tube is affixed to and resides vertically above each of said cylindrical sheaths when said cylindrical sheaths are installed around said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube along the sides of said passenger compartment.
 4. In a selectively inflatable kayak comprising at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube which when inflated defines a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stem sections and a flexible cover extending between and at least partially encasing said elongated pneumatically inflatable tube defining an open passenger compartment and floor for said kayak, said passenger compartment having sides, a front portion and a rear portion, the improvement comprising first and second extensions to said flexible cover, the first extension affixed on its first edge to said flexible cover at said bow and the second extension affixed on its first edge to said flexible cover at said stem, and to said floor at the second edge of each first and second extension to act as barriers between said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube and the front and rear portions of said passenger compartment.
 5. The selectively inflatable kayak of claim 4 wherein said first edges of said first and second extensions are permanently affixed to said cover and said second edges of said first and second extensions are releasably joined to said floor.
 6. In a selectively inflatable kayak comprising at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube which when inflated, defines a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stern sections and a flexible cover extending between and at least partially encasing said elongated pneumatically inflatable tube to provide an open passenger compartment and a floor for said kayak, said passenger compartment having sides, a front portion and a rear portion, the improvements comprising a pair of cylindrical sheaths each sized to receive a section of said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube along the sections of said tube defining the sides of said passenger compartment and first and second extensions to said flexible cover, the first extension affixed on its first edge to said flexible cover at said bow and the second extension affixed on its first edge to said flexible cover at said stem, and to said floor at the second edge of each of said first and second extensions to act as barriers between said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube and the front and rear portions of said passenger compartment.
 7. The selectively inflatable kayak of claim 6 wherein a selectively inflatable rail tube is affixed to and resides vertically above each of said cylindrical sheaths when said cylindrical sheaths are installed around said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube along the sides of said passenger compartment. 